Hard to Handle: Bob Dylan in Concert

Hard to Handle (1986)

*** (out of 4)

Bob Dylan, backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during their Australian tour. Highlights include the rousing acoustic versions of Girl From the North Country and It's Alright Ma as well as rocking versions of Like a Rolling Stone. Other highlights include the highly underrated I'll Remember You and Lenny Bruce. I wish Columbia would give this an official release here and include a full 2 1/2 hour show (instead of the 1 hour here).

It's time Columbia opened their vaults and started to release more of Dylan's concert videos. We have a great collection of live CDs so they should bring one of these shows out as part of that series and a new DVD line.

I expected more from his concert, he simply did not sing one of the 7 songs that I know, he has an ego as if he were a god and is worth nothing more than to see a jazz or blue jam, I did not expect much from him, but still is the biggest disappointment in many years from an artist.

I traveled from Australia to Europe, I had even increased my vacation for one more week in Porto, just to see him, hopefully I would never have done it for him, just a big disappointment, I will never try to see him again 😔.

If you want to go see it, it's fine but don't expect to much, because it really disappoints.

You are a legend Bob but this time, you are just a joke mate.

Bob Dylan along with the Heartbreakers was one of the best concerts I have ever seen. Petty taking the back seat on the stage allowing Dylan to work his magic was the only way RAZ would have it. Later in the concert Dylan goes solo to do his acoustic version of "Its Alright Ma I'm Only Bleedin". If you are going to watch only 1 concert in your life, make sure it is this one.

I've seen Dylan 8 times live,(5 very good 3 poor)and one of these times was with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the NEC in Birmingham in the late 80's.Dylan was poor then, but Tom Petty and his band were excellent.This video is film of a very good performance, with a blistering version of 'Its alright ma'that made my hair stand on end when I first saw and heard it.This is how good he can be,and quite often is.

There are one or two stumbling moments musically,but overall it is a great performance from all involved,particularly Dylan and Tom Petty and band.

Highly recommended.